to certain Natural Objects, 553 



they may constitute for the Christian Sabbath, do not strictly 

 come within the literal meaning of the word " work." In 

 like manner, the practice, among schoolboys, of always 



Giving away One of Two Kernels, which are occasionally 

 found within the Shell of the same Nut, because it is unlucky 

 to eat both, may have originated from a desire to inculcate 

 the moral lesson of liberality, and the duty of imparting to 

 others a portion of what one possesses. But I know not how 

 to account for the belief in the efficacy of 



Swallowing the Germ of a Walnut, and, at the same Moment^ 

 wishing for some desired Object, in order to its attainment. 

 Hence the germ, or vital apex, of the walnut is sometimes 

 called *' the wish ; " and, unless it be swallowed entire, the 

 charm is broken, and the thing wished for will not be 

 accomplished. 



A Peascod, with Nine Peas in it, is supposed to be of potent 

 efficacy in discovering a damsel's matrimonial lot in life. The 

 peascod is to be placed over the door; and the man who first 

 takes it down, if single, is to become the husband of the fair 

 depositor. This practice, though somewhat varied in par- 

 ticulars, is mentioned by Gay in the following lines * ; — 



" As peascods once I pluck'd, I chanced to see 

 One that was closelj fill'd with three times three j 

 Which, when I cropp'd, I safely home convey'd, 

 And o'er the door the spell in secret laid : 

 The latch moved up, when who should first come in. 

 But, in his proper person, — Lubberkin ! " 



The country youths, of both sexes, adopt the following 

 method of ascertaining whether the objects of their affections 

 entertain for them a mutual regard : — 



The Flower qfCentaurea nigra, or Knapweed \ (here called 

 hard-head), is gathered, and the entire upper portion is 

 shaved off' with a knife or scissors, exactly on a level with the 

 top of the calyx ; the calyx, together with the remainder of 

 its contents, is then put in the pocket: if, by the following 

 day, the stumps of the florets (as I may call them) shall have 

 shot out, so as to protrude beyond the extremity of the calyx 

 (as they are almost certain to do from the warmth of the 

 pocket), it is regarded as a favourable omen, a sure sign that 

 love is reciprocal. This is one of those instances in which 

 the mind readily lends itself to a manifest self-deception, and 

 is willing to believe in the truth of what it hopes for. It 

 were to be wished that the same kind of delusion never ope- 



* Quoted in Brand, i. 303. 



f A similar method of divination by bachelor's buttons (Xychnis 

 dioica) is mentioned by Brand, ii. 629. 



